CHAPTER XXXV. 



The Meadow Lark. 



Alauda pratensis, Lin.; Alouette des pres ou Farlouse, Buf. 



Desceiption and Chaeacter. — The Meadow Lark, which is also 

 known by the names of the Tree Pipit and Short-heeled Lark, 

 greatly resembles the Titlark, both in appearance and the 

 manner of its song, and, in consequence, is frequently mistaken 

 for it. It is, however, as a songster, much superior to that bird. 



A fully-grown Meadow Lark measures 5Jin., the tail being 

 2-|-in. The upper mandible is blackish, the lower flesh-coloured. 

 The eyes are hazel. The upper parts of the plumage are greyish 

 olive brown, spotted with blackish brown ; the rump is rufous 

 greenish grey. Over the eyes is a stripe of pale yellowish white, 

 and one of a similar colour encircles the cheeks. The under 

 parts are dirty yellowish white, the breast being deeper in hue, 

 and more of a brownish yellow. The sides, under the wings, are 

 greenish yellow ; the lower part of the neck and breast is marked 

 with blackish brown spots, some of which are angular, and others 

 oval, in form. The wings are dark brown, with a double white 

 stripe or bar. The tail feathers are blackish, the two centre ones 

 being greyish brown ; the exterior one is white on the outer 

 plume, and midway on the inner web from the tip ; the 

 next has a white spot near the tip. The legs and claws are 

 reddish brown ; the spur is much straighter than that of the 

 Titlark. 



Habits and Breeding. — The Meadow Lark is a migratory 

 bird, arriving in the spring, and departing again in the autumn. 

 It frequents the sides of lakes, pools, and marshes, and also 



